Heat-shrinking facility including means for adjusting temperature inside the enclosure of the facility

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a heat-shrinking facility for heat-shrinking sleeves made of heat-shrinkable material inserted onto supports, such as containers, comprising an enclosure, a heat-diffusion means ( 200 ) arranged inside the enclosure for supplying the heating means with steam and at least one conveyor for carrying the supports through the enclosure between an intake of the enclosure and an output of the enclosure. According to the invention, the steam-generation means comprises an adjustment means suitable for controlling the steam-generation means according to at least one measurement of the temperature prevailing in the enclosure such as to make the measured temperature tend towards a given set temperature.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a facility for heat-shrinking sleeves made of aheat-shrinkable material inserted onto supports such as containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of heat-shrinking, facilities are known for heat-shrinkingsleeves made of heat-shrinkable material inserted onto supports such ascontainers, comprising an enclosure provided with a heat-diffusion meansinside the enclosure and a conveyor for carrying the supports throughthe enclosure between an intake of the enclosure and an output of theenclosure.

As the support is carried through the enclosure, by exposure to the heatinduced by the heat-diffusion means, the sleeve softens and then shrinksonto the support.

The heat-diffusion means can also include, for instance, a means forheating by steam which includes steam diffusers attached to the sidewalls of the enclosure, the steam diffusers being connected to asteam-intake opening arranged in the enclosure. A boiler supplies theenclosure with steam at said steam-intake opening and is adjustedaccording to a measurement of the pressure at the boiler outlet, asmeasure by a pressure switch.

However, it turns out that a single measurement of the pressure at theboiler outlet does not always make it possible to correctly adjust thesteam temperature and thus to obtain a correct shrinking of sleeves onthe supports.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aim of the invention is to propose a heat-shrinking facility thatmakes it possible to obtain a better quality heat-shrinking.

In order to achieve this aim, we propose a facility for heat-shrinkingsleeves made of heat-shrinkable material inserted onto supports such ascontainers, comprising an enclosure, a water steam heating meansarranged inside the enclosure, a steam-generation means for supplyingthe heating means with steam, at least a conveyor for carrying thesupports through the enclosure between an intake of the enclosure and anoutput of the enclosure. According to the invention, thesteam-generation means comprises an adjustment means suitable forcontrolling the steam-generation means according to at least onemeasurement of the temperature prevailing in the enclosure such as tomake the measured temperature tend towards a given set temperature.

The heating of a sleeve must be especially accurate in order for thesleeve to shrink correctly onto the support. By controlling thetemperature directly inside the enclosure, the heating is regulatedaccording to a measurement of temperature that is considerably morerepresentative of the heating to which the sleeves are actually exposedthan when the steam temperature was directly regulated at the boiler, asin the prior art. The heat-shrinking of the sleeves on the supports isof much better quality thanks to the invention.

According to one aspect of the invention, the adjustment means comprisesat least one temperature sensor mounted in the enclosure and capable ofmeasuring a temperature prevailing in a different predetermined area ofthe enclosure.

According to a specific embodiment, the sensor can move inside theenclosure such as to be capable of measuring a temperature prevailing inat least two different predetermined areas of the enclosure.

According to one aspect of the invention, the adjustment means comprisesa means for moving the sensor from one area to another when in service.

According to a specific embodiment, the adjustment means comprises aplurality of temperature sensors mounted in the enclosure and capable ofeach measuring a temperature prevailing in a different predeterminedarea of the enclosure, the adjustment means comprising a means forselecting only one of the temperatures measured by the sensors in orderto control the steam-generation means.

According to one aspect of the invention, the predetermined area orareas will be preferably be immediately next to a path of the steamcoming out of the heating means.

According to a specific embodiment, the steam-generation means includean adjustable-opening valve which is arranged upstream from the heatingmeans and which is controlled by the adjustment means according to thetemperature prevailing inside the enclosure.

According to one aspect of the invention, the steam-generation meanscomprises a gas/liquid separator which is arranged upstream from theadjustable opening valve.

According to a specific embodiment, the steam-generation means comprisesa means for overheating the steam before carrying same to the means forheating by steam, the overheating means comprising an overheatingchannel comprising an inner pipe through which the steam flows and anouter pipe concentric to the inner pipe and covering the inner pipe.

According to one aspect of the invention, the facility comprises a framesupporting the enclosure and wherein said water steam-generation meansis at least partially arranged, the facility further comprising a meansfor drying a return arm of the conveyor by hot air, said drying meansbeing connected to an air-extraction means in the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood in the light of the followingdescription, made in reference to the figures of the attached drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a heat-shrinking facilityaccording to the invention, with a hood of an enclosure of the facilitydepicted in operational position;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a part of the heat-shrinkingfacility depicted in FIG. 1, with the side walls of one side of theheat-shrinking facility not shown;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a base of the enclosure of theheat-shrinking facility depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a heat-diffusion means of theheat-shrinking facility depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an inner partition of the hood depictedin FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a part of the heat-shrinkingfacility depicted in FIG. 1, with the hood depicted in open position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a heat-generation means of theheat-shrinking facility depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a heat-generation means of aheat-shrinking facility according to another embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The facility described herein is intended for heat-shrinking sleevesmade of a heat-shrinkable material inserted onto supports, such ascontainers. The facility is, for example, arranged between a facilityfor cutting and installing sleeves made of heat-shrinkable material onsupports and a support-filling facility.

In reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7, the heat-shrinking facilityaccording to the invention comprises an enclosure 1 which is providedwith a means for heating by water steam 100, and a conveyor 2 forcarrying the supports through the enclosure 1 between an intake of theenclosure 1 and an output of the enclosure 1 in the direction shown bythe arrows. The facility further comprises steam water generation means200 for supplying the heating means 100 with steam at two steam-intakeopenings 101 a, 101 b being arranged in the enclosure 1 and extending oneither side of the conveyor 2.

According to a specific embodiment, the facility comprises a frame 6which supports the enclosure 1 and in which the means for generatingwater steam 200 is at least partially arranged. The facility herein alsocomprises a means for drying a return arm of the conveyor 2 by hot air,the drying means being connected to an air-extraction means in the frame6.

Indeed, the means for generating water steam 200 considerably heats theinside of the frame 6. Thus, instead of generating hot air for dryingthe return arm of the conveyor 2, the hot air is collected directly fromthe frame 6, thus reducing the power consumption of the drying means.Moreover, this makes it possible to evacuate part of the hot air in theframe 6 and thus to reduce overheating inside the frame 6.

The means for heating by water steam 100 and the enclosure 1 will bedescribed in greater detail below. The means for generating water steam200 will first be described.

In reference to FIGS. 1 and 7, the means for generating steam 200 hereincomprises a steam-carrying channel 201 which is connected to a boiler(not depicted here). The steam-generation means 200 herein alsocomprises a drainage channel 202.

According to a specific embodiment, the steam-carrying channel 201 andthe drainage channel 202 both extend vertical to the facility and alongthe facility, the remaining generation means being arranged in the frame6. Evidently, base is understood to refer to a base 10 which issubstantially perpendicular to the ground on which the facility rests.

The steam-generation means thus takes up little space and does notdisturb an operator located in the proximity of the base 10, whichfurther reduces the size of the facility compared with a facility of theprior art.

The steam-generation means herein comprises a gas/liquid separator 203which is connected to the steam-carrying channel 201 and which isarranged upstream from the steam-intake openings 101 a, 101 b. Adrainage channel 204 is connected between the gas/liquid separator 203and the drainage channel 202 for evacuating the water from drying thesteam.

Thus, the gas/liquid separator 203 makes it possible to dry the steamfrom the steam-carrying channel 203 and thus to improve the qualitythereof. It should be noted that to ensure correct shrinking of thesleeve made of heat-shrinking material, the steam must be dry and must,in particular, have a temperature of the order of 100° to 130° at thearea in contact with the sleeves.

According to a specific embodiment, the steam-generation means comprisesan adjustable-opening valve 205 which is connected to the gas/liquidseparator 203.

According to another aspect of the invention, the steam-generation meansalso comprises a means for overheating the steam before carrying same tothe means for heating by steam 100, the overheating means herein beingarranged between the valve 205 and the steam-intake openings 101 a, 101b. The overheating means herein includes an overheating channelcomprising an inner pipe 210 through which the steam flows and an outerpipe 211 concentric to the inner pipe 210 and covering the inner pipe210.

Thus, the steam is reheated immediately before entering the enclosure 1,which makes it easier to manage the temperature distributed to theenclosure 1.

The overheating means, the gas/liquid separator 203 and the valve 205thus make is possible to improve the quality of the steam received fromthe boiler before distributing same to the enclosure 1.

According to the invention, the steam-generation means 200 comprises anadjustment means suitable for controlling the steam-generation meansaccording to at least one measurement of the temperature prevailing inthe enclosure 1 such as to make the measured temperature tend towards agiven set temperature.

Indeed, it should be noted that the heating of a sleeve must beespecially accurate in order for the sleeve to shrink correctly onto thesupport. By controlling the temperature directly inside the enclosureand not in the boiler, as in the prior art, the heating is regulatedaccording to a measurement of temperature that is considerably morerepresentative of the heating to which the sleeves are actually exposed,thus improving the heat-shrinking of the sleeves onto the supports.

Here, the adjustment means comprises a temperature sensor 212, as can beseen more clearly in FIG. 2, mounted in the enclosure 1 and capable ofmeasuring a prevailing temperature in a predetermined area of theenclosure 1.

Preferably, the predetermined area is immediately next to a path of thesteam coming out of the heating means.

Thus, the temperature measurement will be taken by the sensor 212 asclose as possible to one of the areas for diffusing steam to thesupports in order to obtain information that is as representative aspossible of the heating to which the sleeves are actually exposed.

According to a specific embodiment, the sensor 212 is arranged such asto obtain information on the temperature of a jet of steam coming out ofone of the diffusion openings of one of the manifolds 110. The sensor212 herein is arranged along the upright 105 a of one of the arches 104above the associated manifold 110.

According to a specific embodiment, the predetermined area is next tothe steam-diffusion area of the enclosure 1 for which the heat-shrinkingof the sleeve is the most delicate, for example because of a specificshape of the support associated with the sleeve.

According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the sensor 212 canmove inside the enclosure 1 such as to be capable of measuring atemperature prevailing in at least two different predetermined areas ofthe enclosure 1. The sensor 212 is, for example, removably secured tothe enclosure 1. Thus, when seeking to measure the temperature inanother area of the enclosure 1, an operator might remove the sensor 212from one area in order to secure the enclosure 1 to another desiredarea.

It is therefore possible to adjust the steam-generation means accordingto a temperature reading that can be adapted, for example if a new typeof support is travelling over the conveyor. The heating of the enclosureis therefore particularly well controlled, guaranteeing high-qualityheat-shrinking of the sleeves onto the supports.

According to a specific embodiment, the steam-generation means 200controls the valve 205 according to the reading of the temperatureprevailing in the enclosure 1 by the sensor 212 in order to adjust thetemperature inside the enclosure 1.

The temperature in the enclosure 1 is thus adjusted by controlling theflow rate of the steam supplied to the enclosure. The valve 205 not onlymakes it possible to participate in the enhancement of the quality ofsteam but also to participate in the adjustment of temperature insidethe enclosure.

Evidently, the means for heating by steam of the invention is notrestricted to the described embodiment, and variations can be made tosame.

The steam-generation means may not include an overheating means or agas/liquid separator means or even an adjustable-opening valve.

The steam-adjustment means might comprise other temperature sensorarrangements for measuring a temperature inside the enclosure. Forexample, the adjustment means might comprise a different number ofsensors. A sensor might be movable automatically in the enclosure, notmanually. For this purpose, the adjustment means might comprise a meansfor moving the sensor from one area to another when in service. Theenclosure might then remain closed even when seeking to measure thetemperature in another area of the enclosure. The adjustment means cancomprise a plurality of temperature sensors mounted in the enclosure andcapable of each measuring a temperature prevailing in a differentpredetermined area of the enclosure, the adjustment means comprising ameans for selecting only one of the temperatures measured by the sensorsin order to control the steam-generation means. Thus, the sensors do notneed to be moved manually or automatically in order to measure atemperature of the enclosure in another area of the enclosure, insteadmerely selecting another sensor. Moreover, the enclosure might remainclosed even when seeking to measure the temperature in another area ofthe enclosure. At least one of said sensors might also be moved insidethe enclosure such as to be capable of measuring a temperatureprevailing in at least two different predetermined areas of theenclosure.

Although the sensor herein is arranged on a arch of the framework, thesensor might be arranged differently in the enclosure, for examplearranged on the inner partition.

Regardless of the arrangement of the sensor or sensors, thepredetermined area or areas will be preferably be immediately next to apath of the steam coming out of the heating means.

The adjustment means might control the steam-generation means accordingto information other than the temperature in the enclosure, such as, forexample, according to information concerning the pressure or temperatureat the steam-intake openings or even according to a measurement of thepressure in the boiler.

Although it has been described that the facility only comprises a singleconveyor, the facility might comprise two conveyors for carrying twodifferent or identical types of supports through two differentenclosures. According to a specific embodiment, in reference to FIG. 8,the steam-generation means 300 therefore only comprises a singledrainage channel 301 and a single steam-carrying channel 302, thusreducing the size of the facility. At the output of the gas/liquidseparator 303, a transfer pipe 304 carries the dried steam to a secondadjustable-opening valve 305 which is connected to an overheating meansin turn connected to steam-intake openings leading into the secondenclosure, the second valve allowing the temperature in the secondenclosure to be adjusted according to a temperature measurement taken inthe second enclosure.

The steam-generation means might comprise a different number ofsteam-intake openings.

Now that the steam-generation means 200 has been described in detail, adescription will finally be provided of the heating means 100.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the heating means 100 are supported bythe base 10 of the enclosure 1.

The means for heating by steam 100 herein comprises a means fordiffusing steam and a quick-connection means which is capable ofsealingly engaging with a first steam-intake opening 101 a and a secondsteam-intake opening 101 b, the two steam-intake openings being arrangedin the enclosure such as to be placed on either side of the conveyor 2.

According to the invention, the heating means 100 forms a single unitremovably mounted on the base 10.

Thus, it is very easy to change the means for heating by water steam 100simply by removing and raising the single unit. The facility accordingto the invention is therefore particularly modular. Moreover, whenchanging the supports to be carried through the enclosure 1, it is easyto replace the means for heating by water steam 100 in the enclosure 1with another means for heating by water steam 100, also forming amodular unit mounted on the base of the enclosure, better suited forheat-shrinking sleeves onto the new supports.

Quick-connection means is obviously understood to relate to a means thatmakes it possible directly to remove the single unit from the base 10simply by raising the single unit, such as a means for connection bysnap-fitting or else a means requiring one or more very straightforwardremoval steps involving a standard tool, such as a screwdriver, beforebeing able to raise the single unit.

According to a specific embodiment, the means for heating by steam 100comprises a framework 102 which supports the quick-connection means andthe steam-diffusion means. Thus, the framework 102 comprises two siderails 103 each extending along a different side of the conveyor 2 andthree arches 104 each secured to each side rail 103 such that the arches104 extend over the conveyor 2. The arches 104 are arranged herein atregular intervals on the side rails 103. Each arch 104 herein comprisestwo uprights 105 a which extend, parallel to one another, perpendicularto the base 10 when the framework 102 is mounted on the base 10. One endof each upright 105 a is connected to one of the side rails and theother end is free. Each arch 104 also comprises a cross rail 105 bconnecting the free ends of the two uprights 105 a.

The steam-diffusion means herein is only attached to the base 10 by thequick-connection means.

For this purpose, as can be seen more clearly in FIG. 3, the base 10herein comprises holding feet 106 which are placed on either side of theconveyor 2. The holding feet 106 hold the side rails 103 of theframework 102 when the latter is mounted on the base 10. The framework102 is therefore only attached to the base 10 by the connection means,and the holding feet 106 help stabilise the framework 102 on the base10. The holding feet 106 herein are arranged at regular intervals on thebase 10.

According to a specific embodiment, the steam-diffusion means comprisesa first series of diffusers which are secured to the framework 102 suchthat said diffusers extend substantially along a first side of theconveyor 2 and a second series of diffusers which are secured to theframework 102 such that said diffusers extend substantially along asecond side of the conveyor 2 opposite the first side.

The diffusers therefore extend along the conveyor 2 substantially alongthe entire length of the conveyor 2 and on either side of the conveyor2, which makes it possible to diffuse the steam on the sleeves along theentire length over which the supports are carried through the enclosure1. The heating of the sleeves is therefore regular and thus bettercontrolled.

According to a specific embodiment, the framework 102 comprises twoelements including a means for provisionally securing said elementstogether, the first element supporting the first series of diffusers andthe second element supporting the second series of diffusers.

Thus, the framework 102 can be removed from the base 10 as a unit andthen separated into the two elements thereof. It is therefore possibleonly to modify a part of the diffusers by securing, for example, thefirst element with a new second element supporting another series ofdiffusers. The facility according to the invention is thereforeparticularly modular. Moreover, when changing the supports to be carriedthrough the enclosure 1, it is easy to replace the diffusers of a singleseries with other diffusers that are better suited to heat-shrinking thesleeves onto the new supports. It is therefore easy to performasymmetrical heat-shrinking for containers that comprise differentsurfaces by judiciously selecting the first element and the secondelement.

According to a specific embodiment, the various diffusers are secured ina removable and adjustable manner to the framework 102.

Thus, it is very easy to change or adjust all or part of the diffusers.It is therefore not necessary to change the means for heating by steam100 systematically, only certain diffusers, for example when onlycertain diffusers are faulty. The facility according to the invention istherefore even more modular. Moreover, when changing the supports to becarried through the enclosure 1, it is possible and easy to replace allor part of the diffusers in the enclosure 1 with other diffusers and/orto position all or part of the diffusers differently in order for thediffusers to be as closely suited as possible to the heat-shrinking ofsleeves onto the new supports.

Here, each arch 104 supports, on one of the uprights 105 a, a diffuserof the first series and, on the other upright 105 a, a diffuser of thesecond series.

Here, each diffuser is secured to the associated arch 104 such as to bemovable along the associated upright 105 a. The diffuser can thereforebe positioned at different heights in the enclosure 1.

Each diffuser herein is also secured to the associated arch 104 such asto be movable about an axis of rotation that is substantially parallelto the associated cross rail 105 b. The diffuser can therefore bepositioned differently relative to the supports carried by the conveyor2 while remaining extended along the conveyor 2.

According to a specific embodiment, each diffuser comprises a manifold110 pierced with openings for diffusing steam and a pipe for carryingsteam (not shown here) connected by one end to the manifold 110 and bythe other end to the quick-connection means.

Thus, the manifold 110 has a shape that is particularly suited forextending along the conveyor 2 such that the steam-diffusion openingssubstantially form a line for continuously diffusing steam onto thesleeves along the length over which the supports are carried through theenclosure 1. The heating of the sleeves is therefore extremely regularand thus better controlled.

The manifold 110 and the carrying pipe are, for example, made of acomposite or plastic material.

Thus, the manifolds 110 and the carrying pipes are very light, whichmakes it possible to provide a lightweight single unit. Moreover, in theprior art, the diffusers are made of metal. And yet, if the metal is notof high quality, it tends to rust, which can cause complete or partialobstruction of the diffusion openings and pollution of the steam thatpasses through said openings. The manifolds and the carrying pipes ofthe invention make it possible to overcome said drawbacks.

Here, each manifold 110 is secured to the arch 104 connectedsubstantially at the centre of the manifold 110. According to a specificembodiment, each manifold 110 is secured to the arch 104 by a linkenabling the adjustable positioning of same.

According to another aspect of the invention, the connection meanscomprises a first distribution housing 111 connected to the firststeam-intake opening 101 a and a second distribution housing 112connected to the second steam-intake opening 101 b. The manifolds 110 ofthe first series are all connected to the first steam-intake opening 101a via the first housing 111 and the manifolds of the second series areall connected to the second steam-intake opening 101 b via the other oneof the housings 112.

Here, the manifolds 110 of the first series are all connectedindependently from one another to the first housing 111, the firsthousing 111 enabling independent adjustment of the flow rate of steamsupplied to each manifold 110, for instance by adjusting the opening ofan adjustable-opening valve. Similarly, the manifolds 110 of the secondseries are all connected independently from one another to the secondhousing 112, the second housing 112 enabling independent adjustment of aflow rate of steam supplied to each manifold 110.

For this purpose, the first housing 111 and the second housing 112 eachcomprise a means for adjusting the respective flow rates supplied toeach manifold 110.

The adjustment means herein comprises screw-needle assemblies eachassociated with one of the steam-distribution openings of the housing towhich one of the manifolds is connected, each needle having a roundedprofile and being movable by the associated screw in order to obstructall or part of the associated distribution opening.

The screw-needle assemblies enable very fine adjustment of the flow rateof the steam distributed to each manifold 110. By comparison, in theprior art, adjustment is carried out by means of a flap which can onlybe open or closed.

Thus, it is very easy to adjust the flow rate supplied to each manifold110 independently. Furthermore, when changing the supports to be carriedthrough the enclosure 1, it is possible and easy to modify the flow rateof the steam supplied to all or part of the manifolds 110.

Ultimately, the facility according to the invention offers manyopportunities for adjustment and complete or partial changing of thesteam-diffusion means, which makes it possible to provide very fineadjustment of the diffusion of steam in the enclosure according to thetype of support and/or sleeves carried.

In general terms, the facility will preferably be arranged such that thediffusers are distributed symmetrically on either side of the conveyorand in a regular fashion in the main chamber in order for the steamdiffusion to be as uniform as possible in the main chamber.

Evidently, the means for heating by steam described herein isnon-exhaustive and subject to variation.

In particular, the diffusion means can comprise a different number ofdiffusers. The diffusers may not comprise manifolds, but ratherdistribution nozzles. The diffusers can also be merely attached, withoutbeing adjustable and/or without being removable from the framework.Although it has been described herein that the diffusers are arranged onthe framework on the uprights of the arches, the diffusers might besecured to the cross rails of the arches. In this case, said cross railsshould be prevented from forming the abutment that defines the serviceposition of the partition.

The framework might also comprise a different number of arches. Thearches can have a shape other than that described, for example thearches might be circular.

The framework may not be separable into two separate elements and mightinstead form a single unit. If the framework can be separated into twoseparate elements, the framework might also be separable directly on thebase in addition to being separable once removed from the base.

More particularly, the means for heating by steam may not form a singleunit mounted on the base and instead be secured to the base or toanother portion of the enclosure.

Now that the means for heating by steam 100 has been described indetail, a description will finally be provided of the enclosure 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the enclosure 1 includes a hood 7 mountedmobile between an operational position in which the latter is sealinglymounted on the base 10 as depicted in FIG. 1, and an open positionallowing access to the conveyor 2 as depicted in FIG. 6. Evidently, thehood 7 herein comprises two openings 3, 4 through which the conveyor 2extends when the hood 7 is in operational position.

According to a specific aspect of the invention, the side walls of thehood 7 are connected by a top of the hood which has a rounded shape.

Steam tends to condense on the walls of the hood 7, which are oftencold. The top of the hood 7 is therefore advantageously shaped such thatthe drops of water from condensation forming on the top of the hood 7can flow along the side walls of the hood 7 towards the base 10 when thehood 7 is in operational position. Thus, the drops of water do not fallinto the centre of the enclosure 1 and thus do not pollute the watersteam or the supports during the heat-shrinking process.

The hood 7 herein is provided with at least one seal (not shown in thefigures) which extends along the edges thereof opposite the base 10 andwhich, when the hood is in operational position, engages with the base10 by resting thereon with high enough pressure to ensure a seal of theenclosure 1.

Here, the facility comprises a means for moving the hood 7 between theretracted position and the open position which includes a verticalcolumn 5 along which the hood 7 slides between the open position and theoperational position thereof, as shown by the arrow. The open andoperational positions herein are vertical to the base 10.

Thus, even when the hood 7 is in open position, the facility has reducedoverall dimensions. In particular, the facility only takes up a verysmall amount of space on the ground. It is therefore very easy to movearound the enclosure 1, which makes it even easier to service the base10, the conveyor 2 or the means for heating by water steam 100. Themovement of the hood 7 from one position to another thus does notdisturb an operator located next to the base 10.

In reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6, according to a specific embodimentof the invention, the hood 7 comprises an inner partition 12 mountedmobile between a retracted position (as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6)and a service position in which the partition 12 defines with the sidewalls of the hood 7 and the base 10 a main chamber 11 of the enclosure 1which is subjected to the action of the means for heating by water steam100 when the hood 7 is in operational position. The partition 12 thusforms a roof of the main chamber 11. The sensor 212 is for instancearranged on the inside wall 12.

Thus, thanks to the partition 12, it is no longer necessary to heat allthe inside space of the hood 7, only the space of the main chamber 11.This makes it possible to reduce the power consumption of the means forheating by water steam 100 by reducing the space to be heated. Thus, byadjusting the service position of the partition 12, it is possible toadapt the volume of the main chamber 11 according to the type of supportand/or sleeve carried.

According to a specific embodiment, the service position of thepartition 12 is defined by the abutment of the partition 12 against themeans for heating by water steam 104.

In this way, it is easy to define the service position of the partition12 and also to define the space of the main chamber 11.

According to a specific aspect of the invention, the refracted positionof the partition 12 is defined by the abutment of the partition 12against the hood 7. Here, the partition 12 comprises a dome 13 on onesurface of the partition 12 opposite the surface forming the roof of themain chamber 11. The dome 13 has a shape that complements the top of thehood 7. Thus, when the partition 12 is moved from the service positionto the retracted position, the dome 13 abuts against the top of the hood7 thus defining the retracted position of the partition 12.

Here, the movement means engages directly with the partition 12 in orderto lift the latter such that when the partition 12 is moved from theservice position to the retracted position, the dome 13 of the partition12 abuts against the top of the hood 7 and thus drives the hood 7 fromthe operational position to the open position. Conversely, when themovement means lowers the partition 12, the hood 7 descends with thepartition 12 until the operational position, the partition 12 continuingto descend until the service position thereof in abutment against thecross rail 105 b of means for heating by water steam 100.

According to a specific embodiment, the partition 12 comprises threeadjustable-opening valves 15 a, 15 b, 15 c for sucking the steam in themain chamber 11 through the partition 12, which helps regulate theprevailing temperature in the main chamber 11 and prevents an excessivebuild-up of steam in the main chamber 11.

The valves 15 a, 15 b, 15 c in this case are arranged at regularintervals along the partition 12 and are substantially centred on thepartition 12. Thus, the steam is sucked into the main chamber 11 in asubstantially uniform manner, which reduces the disruption to theatmosphere in the main chamber 11.

According to a specific embodiment, the three valves 15 are arranged onthe partition 12 such as to be placed substantially above one of thearches 104 for extracting steam from the main chamber 11. Said valves 15are therefore vertically adjacent to the diffusers and thus areparticularly well arranged for extracting the steam since theconcentration of steam is greater at the diffusers.

Here, the opening of each valve 15 a, 15 b, 15 c can be adjustedindependently. According to a specific embodiment, the openings of thevalves 15 can be adjusted even when the hood 7 is in operationalposition. For this purpose, the partition 12 is provided with a meansfor adjusting valves 15 a, 15 b, 15 c which comprises a rod 16 thatextends along the entire partition 12 and through at least one of theopenings of the hood 7 such that one end of the rod 16 is locatedoutside the hood 7. The rod 16 comprises a first pipe 16 a which extendsbetween the end of the rod 16 and a flap of the first valve 15 a suchthat a rotation of the first pipe 16 a relative to the partition 12drives a rotation of the flap of the first valve 15 a. The adjustmentmeans also comprises a first lever 17 a for positioning the first pipe16 a relative to the partition 12 which is supported by the end of therod 16. Thus, the first lever 17 a accessible outside the hood 7 makesit possible gradually to adjust the opening of the valve. Likewise, theadjustment means comprises pipes 16 b, 16 c and levers 17 b, 17 crespectively connected to the second valve 15 b and to the third valve15 c.

According to a specific aspect of the invention, the partition 12comprises a guard 24 extending along the edges thereof and tiltedtowards the base 10 when the partition 12 is in service position. Saidguard 24 acts herein as a steam seal. Indeed, the guard 24 is shapedsuch that, when the partition 12 is in service position, the guard 24allows drops of water to flow along the side walls of the hood 7 towardsthe base 10 but prevents the water steam from leaking out of the mainchamber 11 towards the top of the hood 7.

This makes it easier to control the prevailing temperature in the mainchamber 11 while still allowing the water to flow towards the base 10.

Moreover, if drops of water formed on the top of the hood 7 still fallwithout flowing along the side walls of the hood 7, the dome 13 makes itpossible to prevent said drops from falling directly on the surfaces ofthe partition 12 or on the valves 15 a, 15 b, 15 c. In addition, therounded shape of the dome 13 promotes the flow of said drops, or ofdrops that form directly on the dome 13, towards the guard 24 which inturn promotes the flow of the drops towards the base 10 along the sidewalls of the hood 7.

In reference to FIG. 3, according to a specific embodiment, the base 10comprises two symmetrical gutters 18 each extending on either side ofthe conveyor 2 and along the conveyor 2, the gutters 18 each comprisingan opening 19 (only one of which is depicted here) connected to at leastone outlet channel.

Since the steam tends to condense on the supports, which are often cold,the water from the heat-shrinking process is therefore advantageouslydischarged via the gutters 18. The gutters 18 herein slope towards theassociated opening in order to facilitate the flow of the water.

The gutters 18 are preferably shaped such as also to receive the dropsof water that flowed along the side walls of the hood 7 in order topromote the drainage of water from the enclosure.

In reference to FIG. 2, the enclosure herein comprises a first secondarychamber 20 and a second secondary chamber 21, the secondary chambersflanking the main chamber 11 and being each provided with a means (notdepicted here) for sucking in the steam in the secondary chambers.

The hood 7 herein includes a first inner wall 22 and a second inner wall23 which define, with the outer side surfaces of the hood 7 and with thebase 10, the secondary chambers when the hood is in operationalposition. The first inner wall 22 and a second inner wall 23 also definethe main chamber 11 with the base 10 and the partition 12. The partition12 therefore moves only in the main chamber 11 such that the volume ofthe secondary chambers remains unchanged despite a movement of saidpartition 12.

The disclosed enclosure is not restrictive and modifications can, ofcourse, be made thereto.

More particularly, the enclosure may not include a mobile hood and/or amobile partition.

Although the hood in the depicted example is moved according to avertical translation movement, the hood can generally be mounted mobilebetween the open position and the operational position according to amovement other than that described, such as, for example, by rotation.

The inner partition can be mounted mobile between the service positionand the retracted position according to a movement other than thatdescribed, such as, for example, a rotation. Although herein the innerpartition drives a movement of the hood, it is possible to make the hooddrive a movement of the inner partition instead.

Likewise, although herein the partition comprises three valves forextracting steam, the partition may not comprise any valves or comprisea different number of valves. The valve or valves can all be adjusted atthe same time. Although herein the valves for extracting steam from theinner partition are controlled manually, said extraction valves mightalso be controlled, for example controlled by the adjustment means.

The facility might also comprise a means for recycling the waterdischarged via the gutters of the base. The water might, for example, bedischarged via the drainage channel of the steam-generation means.

The enclosure, the means for heating by steam and the steam-generationmeans have thus been described in detail. As can be observed, thefacility according to the invention is extremely modular and offers anoperator many possibilities for adjustment according to the heating andheat-shrinking that the operator would like to achieve. Moreover, thefacility is small and takes up little space on the ground. In addition,the facility enables very easy servicing of the inside of the enclosurethanks to the mobility of the hood. Furthermore, the facility enablesthe steam consumption of the means for heating by steam to beconsiderably reduced thanks to the options for adjusting the diffusersand the means for heating by steam in general, as well as to the innerpartition of the hood.

Thus, the invention allows a plurality of variations. Evidently, theenclosure, the heating means and the steam-generation means are threedifferent aspects of the facility according to the invention. It isobviously possible only to implement the enclosure of the inventionwithout implementing the other two aspects.

While the present invention has been illustrated and described withrespect to a particular embodiment thereof, it should be appreciated bythose of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications to thisinvention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent.

What is claimed is:
 1. A facility for heat-shrinking sleeves made of aheat-shrinkable material inserted onto supports, such as containers,comprising: an enclosure, means for heating by steam arranged in theenclosure, water steam generation means for supplying the heating meanswith steam, at least one conveyor for carrying the supports through theenclosure between an intake of the enclosure and an output of theenclosure, wherein the steam-generation means comprises an adjustmentmeans suitable for controlling the steam-generation means according toat least one measurement of the temperature prevailing in the enclosuresuch as to make the measured temperature tend towards a given settemperature, wherein the adjustment means comprises at least onetemperature sensor mounted in the enclosure and capable of measuring atemperature prevailing in a different predetermined area of theenclosure, wherein the temperature sensor can be mounted at multiplelocations inside the enclosure so that the temperature sensor is capableof measuring a temperature prevailing in at least two differentpredetermined areas of the enclosure.
 2. The facility according to claim1, wherein the temperature sensor is automatically moveable from onearea to another when in service.
 3. The facility according to claim 1,wherein the adjustment means comprises a plurality of temperaturesensors mounted in the enclosure and capable of each measuring atemperature prevailing in a different predetermined area of theenclosure, the adjustment means selecting only one of the temperaturesmeasured by the sensors in order to control the steam-generation means.4. The facility according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined area orareas will be preferably be immediately next to a path of the steamcoming out of the heating means.
 5. The facility according to claim 1,wherein the steam-generation means include an adjustable-opening valvewhich is arranged upstream from the heating means and which iscontrolled by the adjustment means according to the temperatureprevailing inside the enclosure.
 6. The facility according to claim 5,wherein the steam-generation means comprises a gas/liquid separatorwhich is arranged upstream from the adjustable opening valve.
 7. Thefacility according to claim 1, wherein the steam-generation means alsocomprises a means for overheating the steam before carrying same to themeans for heating by steam, the overheating means comprising anoverheating channel comprising an inner pipe through which the steamflows and an outer pipe concentric to the inner pipe and covering theinner pipe.
 8. The facility according to claim 1, comprising a framesupporting the enclosure, in which said water steam-generation means isat least partially arranged, the facility further comprising a dryer fordrying a return arm of the conveyor by hot air, said dryer beingconnected to an air-extraction means in the frame.
 9. The facilityaccording to claim 3, wherein the predetermined area or areas will bepreferably be immediately next to a path of the steam coming out of theheating means.
 10. A facility for heat-shrinking sleeves made of aheat-shrinkable material inserted onto supports, such as containers,comprising: an enclosure, means for heating by steam arranged in theenclosure, water steam generation means for supplying the heating meanswith steam, at least one conveyor for carrying the supports through theenclosure between an intake of the enclosure and an output of theenclosure, wherein the steam-generation means comprises an adjustmentmeans suitable for controlling the steam-generation means according toat least one measurement of the temperature prevailing in the enclosuresuch as to make the measured temperature tend towards a given settemperature, wherein the adjustment means comprises a plurality oftemperature sensors mounted in the enclosure and capable of eachmeasuring a temperature prevailing in a different predetermined area ofthe enclosure, the adjustment means selecting only one of thetemperatures measured by the sensors in order to control thesteam-generation means.
 11. The facility according to claim 10, whereinthe predetermined area or areas are immediately next to a path of thesteam coming out of the heating means.